Topic: What's that Sound?

[Jeffy]

I think I know what it is but I'd like a second opinion.  The Jeep is making a sound sorta like a baseball card in the spokes.  It's not nearly as loud nor as fast.  It seems to only happen when turning right.  The front axle is a Dana 30 with a TrueTrac in it.  It was low on oil as I couldn't feel any but I filled it and the sound is still there.  I'm not certain which side it's coming from but only happens when turning right and not left nor going straight.

[Torch_Ind]

I think I know what it is but I'd like a second opinion.  The Jeep is making a sound sorta like a baseball card in the spokes.  It's not nearly as loud nor as fast.  It seems to only happen when turning right.  The front axle is a Dana 30 with a TrueTrac in it.  It was low on oil as I couldn't feel any but I filled it and the sound is still there.  I'm not certain which side it's coming from but only happens when turning right and not left nor going straight.

u-joint? rock in the tire?

[Jeffy]

u-joint? rock in the tire?

Only turning right though?

[sharpxmen]

Only turning right though?

tire rubbing? thinking of the knuckles at the edge of the thread hitting something - lift the front (axle on jackstands so it's loaded), turn the wheel right and rotate the tires by hand.

[FourbangerYJ]

Any idea where the sound is coming from? R or L F or R? Any vibes when the noise is on?

[Jeffy]

tire rubbing? thinking of the knuckles at the edge of the thread hitting something - lift the front (axle on jackstands so it's loaded), turn the wheel right and rotate the tires by hand.

Nope, it's not rubbing.  The turn doesn't have to be that acute.

Any idea where the sound is coming from? R or L F or R? Any vibes when the noise is on?

No vibrations, yet.  I'm 90% sure it's coming from up front.

[brokenwrist21]

is it a clicking or a howl?

[Jeffy]

is it a clicking or a howl?

More like a clicking.  Almost like a ball bearing rolling around in a can.

[brokenwrist21]

did you check the axle u-joints. going straight down the road they wont make noise or much anyway. but if it is a u-joint should do it turning both right and left. but i'm bettin u-joint starting to fail. working for jiffy lube i see alot of failed axle joints

[sharpxmen]

Nope, it's not rubbing.  The turn doesn't have to be that acute.No vibrations, yet.  I'm 90% sure it's coming from up front.

if you lift it and doesn't do that on either side with the wheels turned right then i vote for the front bearings, can't see the u-joint doing that in 2wd, or maybe b/c of your locker it makes the u-joint make that noise if you don't have the disconnect / a 1 piece pass axle - but more likely would still be the bearings (due to side load when turning).

[neale_rs]

Does the "speed " of the noise change when you change your speed?

[Jeffy]

if you lift it and doesn't do that on either side with the wheels turned right then i vote for the front bearings, can't see the u-joint doing that in 2wd, or maybe b/c of your locker it makes the u-joint make that noise if you don't have the disconnect / a 1 piece pass axle - but more likely would still be the bearings (due to side load when turning).

I agree.  I still have the vacuum disconnect as well.  The U-joints look good though.

It's strange that it doesn't seem to do it all the time. I think it's got to have enough force to put a side load on the wheel.  While parked I tried pushing the tires a bit.  The Right Front is creaking.  So if I'm lucky it's the wheel that needs to be reseated.  If I'm not, it's the hub bearing.

Does the "speed " of the noise change when you change your speed?

it's hard to say since it's not always there.  If I turn with enough finesse I can't hear it.  It's mostly when I'm doing 25-30mph.

[Jeffy]

Did some more testing.  You can really hear it under hard braking.  I'm gonna have to pull the wheels and see what's up.  I think it was doing the same thing but not a loud when I had my old tires.

[sharpxmen]

any chance the wheel could touch the caliper but just barely?

[Jeffy]

Well, I think I found the problem.  It's not the wheel hubs.  I think it's the caliper.  It's sticking just enough to chatter.  I tried to remove it, compress the piston and reinstall but it returned.  The creaking I have heard is from the brake pad rubbing the disc.  At least a caliper is cheaper then a hub.